MARK FERNANDEZ

Nickname: "The King Cobra"

   Denver Colorado's Mark "King Cobra" Fernandez opened his pro career Feb. 10, 1982 at the Silver Slipper Casino in Las Vegas, NV with a 4 round draw against Puerto Rico's unbeaten Juan Veloz (2-0).

   The slick boxing Fernandez built a nice record of 14-0-1, 6 ko's before heading out to the Forum in Inglewood, CA to be tested against another up and coming prospect - San Diego's Ernie "Silky" Johnson (14-2, 8 ko).  It was Johnson's night as he won a solid unanimous decision victory over Fernandez, handing Mark his first defeat.

   Fernandez had proven his self worthy, he remained at a high level of competition and in his next fight took on ranked contender and two time World Title Challenger from the Phillipines - Rod Sequenen (44-10-3, 28 ko).  The bout was held in Honolulu, Hawaii and Fernandez won a razor thin unanimous decision on scores of 96-94, and 96-95 x 2.  It was a big win for "The King Cobra".  It seems that Mark enjoyed fighting in Paradise, and he won two more bouts in Hawaii after that to run his record to 17-1-1, 7 by ko.

   He was ranked and getting noticed.  He got the call he'd been hoping for, a shot at the IBF Jr. Lightweight World Title.  But, he'd have to travel to Australia to challenge Champion Barry Michael (46-8-3, 14 ko) for that title.  It was not to be his night as the Champion stopped Fernandez in round 4.

   Mark Fernandez returned to Denver and put together a 3 fight win streak, and would get to feel a

title belt around his waist as he won the Colorado State Jr. Lightweight Title with a hard earned, but clear cut 15 round unanimous decision over highly regarded Arnel Arrozal (23-24-3, 6 ko).

   From that point on, his career was like the stock market, a series of ups and downs against mixed opposition and much of it on the road.  He took on some outstanding boxers during that stretch including:  Mauricio Aceves, Oscar Bejines, Marino Ramirez - twice, Ray Menefee, Dingaan Thobela (in South Africa), Steve Boyle (in England), and Jesse James Leija (in Texas).

   After the Leija fight Fernandez put together a 5 fight string of wins which propelled him up into the rankings and earning him a shot at undefeated NABF Lightweight Champion - Stevie Johnston (17-0, 12 ko) in an all Colorado Title showdown held at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Denver.  After 12 rounds it was Johnston retaining his title on a unanimous decision.

   He was still highly regarded, and got a title shot in his next bout, traveling to Sydney Australia to fight another undefeated Champion - Justin Roswell (17-0, 11 ko) for the WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight Title on the undercard of Kostya Tszyu/Corey Johnson.  Fernandez was stopped at 2:59 of round 10.

   Fernandez went 1-4 after the Roswell fight, but was facing high level opponents, and was well respected for his slick boxing skills.  He earned a final title fight but once again would have to travel and face another unbeaten contender in knockout artist - Alfonso Sanchez (15-0, 14 ko) for the vacant IBA Intercontinental Jr. Welterweight Title.  Sanchez was too much for the 37 year old Fernandez, and scored a 2nd round knockout.

   Mark Fernandez would fight on for a few more years.  He tangled with some of the biggest names in the game including:  Sandro Casamonica, Greg Haugen, Chad Broussard, "Irish" Micky Ward, Virgil McClendon, Vernon Forrest, and Juan Lazcano, quite a list of champions to end his career.

   Mark's last pro bout came on April 14, 2000 in Denver as he ended with a showdown against another Colorado favorite - Bobby Brewer.  The bout went the full 6 rounds and Fernandez boxed his way to a unanimous decision win.  A great way to finish a boxing career that spanned nearly two decades, and took him all over the world.

   After 58 professional bouts, Fernandez finished with a final record of: 34 wins, 23 defeats, 1 draw and won 14 by knockout.  Click here to see: Mark Fernandez's entire pro ledger on boxrec.com

If you would like to see Mark "King Cobra" Fernandez in the ring, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. BARRY MICHAEL               [tko-by-4] {IBF Jr. Light Title}
2. JESSE JAMES LEIJA           [L-10]
3. CLIFFORD HICKS              [w-10]
4. STEVE VALDEZ #1             [w-8]
5. STEVE JOHNSTON             [L-12] {NABF Light Title}
6. ALFONSO SANCHEZ         [tko-by-2]
7. MICKEY WARD                  [ko-by-3]
8. VERNON FORREST            [tko-by-2]


Contact me via e-mail



 

HAROLD KNIGHT

Nickname: "Shadow"

   New Jersey's Harold "Shadow" Knight was a kid that could box, and he was someone that boxing people had their eye on even in the amateurs where he amassed an incredible 103-13 record!

   He opened his pro career on the day after Independence day, July 5, 1983, and he started thing with a BANG, knocking out Tommy Mason in the first round.

   He was a true "Jersey Man" as he ended up fighting all but one of his pro fights in New Jersey!  His first fight was at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, NJ, and his final fight was at the Sands in Atlantic City, NJ.

   His first 12 fights were pretty easy. He was expected to win them, and he did EASILY.  He got his first true test on Feb. 24, 1987 when he was put in against a fellow prospect out of Brooklyn, NY - Rene Resto (12-1-1, 3 ko).  Knight shined as he stopped Resto in round 2.

   After stopping 19-2 Darrell Savoy in round 4, Knight got his first shot at a major title belt.  April 30, 1987 was the night that Harold challenged highly ranked contender Kenny Baysmore (23-1, 20 ko) for his USBA Jr. Lightweight Title.  "Shadow" was more than ready and showed the world who he was with a 7th round tko stoppage of the champion.  Knight was now the USBA Champion and still undefeated, world ranked and gaining lots of national attention.


   He scored tko's in his next two bouts which were non-title bouts, and then successfully defended his USBA title against Anthony English (19-7-1) via 4th round tko, and then just about 6 weeks later defended the USBA title against highly respected former Michigan State Featherweight Champion - Erskine Wade (17-4-1, 11 ko).  It was another impressive victory for the unbeaten champion, ending the fight at 2:29 of the 11th round.

   Harold "Shadow" Knight was now 19-0, 15 ko's.  Undefeated. USBA Jr. Lightweight Champion.  World Ranked.  Absolutely ready and deserving of a World Title fight.  He got it.

   The IBF Jr. Lightweight Champion Rocky Lockridge (42-5, 35 ko) agreed to defend his title against Knight.

   April 2, 1988. The Sands Resort Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ was the venue.  The bout was huge.  Televised on NBC it was a fascinating meeting of a powerhouse World Champion who was making his 2nd defense of the IBF Title he had traveled to the UK to lift from champion Barry Michael.  Lockridge was also the former WBA World Champion, and had lost by Majority decision to legendary Julio Cesar Chavez for the WBC World Title.  Lockridge was a solid champion who was facing an undefeated contender, which made for a fascinating matchup.

   It was a great match, and it went the entire 15 rounds.  When the scores were read, it was Champion Rocky Lockridge defending his title successfully on scores of 146-139, 145-139, and 145-140.  Knight proved his self as one of the best in the division.  It was his final bout.

   Harold Knight ended his pro career with a final record of 19 wins, 1 loss, winning 15 by knockout.  He never lost his USBA Title, and nearly won the IBF World Championship.  He was skilled, and powerful.  He became a favorite of ESPN Network.

   See Harold "Shadow" Knight's complete Pro Ledger on: Boxrec.com

   If you would like to see Harold "Shadow" Knight in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. RAFAEL GONDARILLA      [tko-6]
2. ERSKINE WADE                  [tko-11] {USBA Jr. Light Title}
3. ROCKY LOCKRIDGE          [L-15] {IBF Jr. Light Title} (*Knight's LAST Pro Bout)

Contact me: The Boxing Guru via E-Mail

 

SEAN FLETCHER

   New Jersey's Sean Fletcher was an outstanding amateur boxer, who continued to box even as he served in the U.S. Navy.  He was a National Golden Gloves Champion, Armed Forces Champion, Navy Champion, and won various other prestigious amateur titles.  He had an incredible record of 280 wins, and only 22 defeats as an amateur!

   He turned professional on July 27, 1993 with a unanimous decision win over Justo Sanchez at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

   Fletcher ran off 4 more wins before taking his first pro defeat at the hands of New England Featherweight Champion - Joey Negron (10-3-2, 5 ko) via 6 round decision.

   Sean got back to business and did not lose another pro fight for over 3 years. His 15 fight win streak ended on Nov. 21, 1997 when he was stopped in round 6 by future WBC World Champion - Cesar "La Cobrita" Soto (49-7-2, 37 ko).

   Fletcher put together 4 more knockout victories, including a 6th round technical knockout win over Maryland prospect Brian Cook (13-1, 8 ko) and then found his self facing another world champion - Angel Manfredy (28-4-1, 21 ko).  Manfredy stopped Fletcher in round 4 of their bout in Atlantic City, NJ.

Sean finished his pro boxing career facing off with some of the top names in the game, in addition to Soto, and Manfredy, he also faced:  Derrick Gainer, Leavander Johnson, Juan Manuel Marquez,  and Lamar Murphy.

Sean's final appearance in the ring came on June 6, 2003 in Tampa, Florida when he squared off with local favorite - and world ranked - "Diamond" David Santos (42-6, 27 ko).

   Sean ended his professional campaign with a very solid record of 25 wins, 10 losses, winning 19 by knockout!  

He never fought for a title, but was a respected professional who many thought deserved a title shot during his 10 year professional campaign.  Sean's name will not be forgotten by boxing fans who enjoyed seeing him in the ring during his outstanding Amateur and Professional boxing careers!

   Click here to see: Sean Fletcher's pro ledger on boxrec.com

If you would like to see Sean Fletcher in boxing action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:









1. JUSTO SANCHEZ                         [w-4](Pro Debut)
2. ANGEL GONZALEZ #1                 [w-4]
3. CESAR "La Cobrita" SOTO            [ko-by-6]
4. ANGEL MANFREDY                    [tko-by-4]
5. JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ        [tko-by-7]

___________________________________
AMATEUR:

1. Sergio Reyes (Beg Rd2/'92Olyfst)
2.Aristead Clalyton ('91Olyfst/L.A.)
3. Sergio Reyes #5 ('92Olbxf)
4.Paul Ayala ('92USNatls.)
5. Mikhail Aranin #2 (URS)
6. Vyacheslav Isaev (URS)('93Dual)
7. Aristead Clayton ('93WC Boxoffs)
8. Aristead Clayton ('90 Olyfst Minnesota)(Rounds 2 & 3 Only)
9. Lionel Odum ('90 Olyfst)

 Contact me for information: The Boxing Guru via E-Mail

Get your copy of:

Paperback or Kindle.  CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY!

 

TEDDY REID

   Jamaican born Teddy Reid fought between Jr. Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight during his 12 year pro boxing career.  He opened with a bang knocking out David Williams in the first round.  He was put in very tough early in his career, building an 8-1 record winning 6 by knockout.  The combined record of his first 9 opponents was 52-16-2 and he faced world ranked Jose Antonio Rivera (24-1-1, 18 ko) in just his 10th pro bout.  He lost a 10 round unanimous decision that night, but it was clear that he was someone to watch in the boxing world.

   He went back to work and continued to face world class competition... Juan LaPorte, Pedro Saiz, Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis, Anthony Suggs, Terence Cauthen and Jose "Chito" Aponte among the opponents he faced during the stretch that led to his battle with Emmanuel Agustus for the interim NABF Jr. Welter Title.  It was a big night and a great performance for Reid as he out-boxed the boxer to win via Unanimous decision on scores of 116-112, and 115-113 x 2.  Reid lost his next fight to Golden Johnson (18-4-2, 13) for the vacant NABF Jr. Welter Title by the same scores he won against Agustus... 116-112, 115-113 x 2.

   He continued to battle on fighting for various titles against some of the best in the game.  Juan Carlos Rubio (26-5-2), Jesus Valverde (18-3), Joe Hutchinson (20-2-2), Ben Tackie (23-2), Germaine Sanders (21-1) were among the contenders that he squared off with.  It was that 6-1, 5 ko streak against top notch fighters that earned him the shot at Elio Ortiz (24-5, 18 ko) for his NABF Welterweight Title belt.  It was an impressive display of Reid's thunderous punching power as he put the champion down 5 times en route to a 4th round tko victory.

   That victory put Reid's record at 22-5-1, 16 ko's and he was now highly world ranked and got the call to challenge for the interim WBO Welterweight World Title against the undefeated champion from Puerto Rico - Kermit Cintron (23-0, 21 ko), Reid's NABF Title was also on the line.  The bout was televised on HBO and was a much anticipated meeting of two power punchers.  But Cintron left the ring still undefeated and still the interim WBO champion as well as taking Reid's NABF title by 8th round stoppage.

   He moved up to the 154 pound Jr. Middleweight division in his next fight, and brought his power with him as he stopped Eduardo Sanchez (12-3-2, 8 ko) for the interim NABF Jr. Middleweight Title, putting the defending champion down 4 times in the process.

   He finished his last 4 fights by facing more world class opponents, with a total record of 121-22-4, 73 by knockout!  His final fight was against Columbian title challenger Richard Gutierrez (21-1, 13 ko).  Reid went down swinging but was ko'd in round 4 for his final appearance in the ring.

   Teddy Reid was a powerful and skilled boxer who always gave his best and usually came out on top.  Winning many titles, and always leaving the fans cheering for more.  His final record over the dozen years that he battled was 23 wins, 9 losses, 2 draws with 17 wins by knockout.

Click to see: Teddy Reid's entire pro ledger

If you would like to see Teddy Reid in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

JOSE ANTONIO RIVERA              [L-10]                           
JOSE "Chito" APONTE                   [tko-2]
GOLDEN JOHNSON                     [L-12] {Vacant NABF Jr. Welter Title}
JUAN CARLOS RUBIO                 [tko-2]
JESUS VALVERDE                         [w-10]
JOE HUTCHINSON                       [tko-1] {Vacant USBA Jr. Welter Title}
BEN TACKIE                                  [tko-by-5] {NABF Jr. Welter Title}
GERMAINE SANDERS                  [tko-3] {Vacant NABF Welter Title}
PAT COLEMAN                             [tko-8] {NABF Welter Title}
ELIO ORTIZ                                   [tko-4] {NABF Welter Title}
KERMIT CINTRON                      [tko-by-8] {Interim WBO/NABF Welter Titles}
EDUARDO SANCHEZ                  [tko-7] {Interim NABF Jr. Middle Title}
RODNEY JONES                          [L-12] {NABF Jr. Middle Title}
J.C. CANDELO                              [Draw-10]
VERNO PHILLIPS                         [tko-by-12] {Vacant T.A.B. Middle Title}
RICHARD GUTIERREZ                 [ko-by-4] (Reid's Last Pro Bout)






Contact me via E-mail at: The Boxing Guru